The San Francisco Directory, 1874, Part 14

Author:
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: San Francisco : Langley, Henry G.
Number of Pages: 1128

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To relieve suffering, assist the depressed, and bury the dead, have been the objects of the benevolent societies formed. The good deeds accomplished and the constant care and watchfulness exercised, have given to San Francisco a world-wide reputation, which is richly deserved. Aside from the organized societies, the popular benevolence is proven by the large sums often given for various objects at the call of charity or sympathy. Millions of dollars have been sent abroad when the good heart thought it was required to alleviate distress, either among our own people or those of foreign lands, and never is relief called in vain for any individual case of destitution found in our midst. Fortunately, cases of destitution are rare, and the provisions made by the law and by social organizations prevent any necessity for such distress as drives to importunate beggary. The liberality of Californians is proverbial; and when any great calamity befalls a distant people, the eyes of the world are at once turned toward San Fran- cisco-to the land of gold-for aid, and the countless thousands sent upon many different occasions are proof that they did not look in vain.

This unequaled munificence of our citizens has been also manifested in their generous support of the many organizations for social and charitable purpo- ses. There are now one hundred such organizations in the city; and many of these are divided into lodges, groves, stamms, vereins, councils, posts, etc., making a total of two hundred and fifty, some having up- wards of a thousand members. These are of every class of reputable orders, and include those of every nationality that make up our population. From their number and strength, it would appear as though nearly all the people of San Francisco were members of one or other of these orders. Their wealth is shown in the possession of asylums, halls, hospitals, and schools, and the fine appearance members make on days of public celebration.

As their name implies, the general object of the societies is benevolence, the assistance of unfortunate members, or their wives and children when in sick- ness, burying them when dead, or, if of foreign birth, aiding their return to their native land. But by no means do all limit their charities to their members. Several of these noble organizations are controlled by ladies whose care is for the orphan, the sick, and needy of all classes, and for the reclamation of the degraded of their own sex. Five asylums, generous homes for the tender orphans, are under their con- trol, and the excellent condition of the charge is evidence of the care bestowed. As early as 1851, the gentle Sisters of Charity, as ever devoting their lives to the holy cause of doing good, founded the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum on Market Street, and con- tinued it, with the addition of schools and further extensions, until 1873, when they romoved to South San Francisco, where they had erected a large and commodious edifice, suitable for the accommodation of eight hundred children. The Protestant Orphan Asylum was organized by prominent ladies of this city in 1851. In 1854, they erected a fine building of stone, to which additions have since been made, the whole at an expense of $60,000, on the corner of La- guna and Haight stroots. At this asylum are one hundred and sixty children, unfortunate in their orphanage, but most fortunate in having such a noble home and such parental care as the benevolent ladies have prepared for them. The Ladies' Protec- tion and Relief Society occupy an extensive and com-

ATLAS INS. CO. OF HARTFORD; Assets 8325,000; Farnsworth & Clark, Agents.

EDWARD BOSQUI & CO., Bookbinders and Job Printers, corner of Leidesdorff and Clay Streets.

C. P. VAN SCHAACK & CO., 708, 712, 714, and 716 Kearny Street, Paper and Envelopes.

GENERAL

REVIEW

modious building, erected at an expense of $50,000, | on the corner of Franklin and Post Streets, where they have over two hundred children under their care. A few years since, our Hebrew citizens organ- ized the Pacific Hebrew Orphan Asylum, and have adopted measures for the speedy erection of a build- ing that will meet the wants of that portion of our population.

But the ladies' charity does not end here. The San Francisco Female Hospital; the Lying-in and Found- ling Asylum; the Magdalen Asylum; the St. Mary's Ladies' Society, and numerous others, attest the scope of their ministering care. The kind attention and the liberal expenditure by the ladies of San Francisco, without distinction of nationality, race, or religion, are most honorable and praiseworthy, and every citizen of San Francisco is justly proud of their untiring exertions.

The broad field of labor of the San Francisco Be- nevolent Association has been well filled, the mem- bers exercising a generous guardianship over the distress and wants of the city. Neither membership in other societies, nor race or condition, forbid their action, but their compassion, like the cloak of char- ity, covers all. The Young Men's Christian Associa- tion occupies a noble position among the benevolent societies of San Francisco. Possessing a fine hall, with library, gymnasium, baths, etc., it is well enabled to extend the hand of charity to all, to guide the erring, and to give pleasure and instruction to its members and protegés.

The Episcopal Church supports a great many charities, such as St. Luke's Hospital, on Bernal Heights, founded in 1872; the Church Union, founded in 1870; and the Church Home, also founded in 1870, all of which are liberally maintained, the receipts and expenditures amounting to several thousand dollars annually.

The Ladies' Pastoral Aid Society is a recent or- ganization by the ladies of Trinity Church, having for its object the care and protection of the destitute and friendless within the bounds of Trinity Parish ; to find employment for those requiring it; to provide clothing and assistance for such as may be in need ; to visit and comfort the sick ; to endeavor to bring to the church those who are neglectful of its services, particularly the poor and friendless classes; to gather children into the Sunday School, and to aid in pro- viding active and competent teachers ; to advance the interests of the Church of Christ, and to extend the privileges and blessings of the Gospel.

The Union Missionary Society is organized for the purpose of visiting the sick and administering to the wants of the needy. They also propose to establish a sewing school for poor girls, and to extend such facilities as may be deemed advisable for their fu- ture well-being ; also a laundry, for the employment of women in need of work.

Among other recent organizations are the Boys' and Girls' Aid Society, to better the condition and elevate the tastes of friendless and neglected boys ; the Little Sisters' Society, to take care of the young children of working women, thus allowing the moth- ers to perform a day's work: the Teachers' Mutual Aid Society; St. Patrick's Mutual Alliance of the U. S .; and the Netherlands Benevolent Society.

The Little Sisters is a peculiar organization, aris- ing from the endeavor of a few children to hold a fair for the purpose of aiding a needy family; and finding their effort a success, organized as a society to con- tinue the kind work. The society now has an Infant Shelter at 805 Bush Street, where, in pleasant and spacious rooms, they have fitted up an attractive nursery.

The secret orders and societies are in great number and of high standing. The orders of Masons, Odd Fellows, Druids, Red Men, etc., are bodies of great wealth and usefulness, and fill an important place in the society of San Francisco. Several of these pos- sess stately edifices, have extensive libraries, main- tain banks, publish papers, and in various ways manifest their importance and perform their duties. Added to these are the Immigrant Aid Association, Prison Association, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and numerous others, showing the broad field occupied.

The benevolent societies, composed of people of foreign birth, for the object of aiding their fellow- countrymen, are numerous and efficient. The Eng- lish, Scotch, Welsh, and Irish have their organiza- surance will then become their property.

tions, divided into several classes and divisions, all with a large number of members. The British Be- nevolent Society exercises a supervision over the wants of the subjects of that kingdom, relieving in the past year one thousand and nine persons, and expending_$5,176. The Germans, French, Italians, Russians, Portuguese, Mexicans, Greeks, Scandina- vians, Sclavonians, Hebrews, and Chinese maintain organizations for the same purpose, showing a be- nevolence of the highest character, and most wor- thily occupying their appropriate fields of usefulness. The German General Benevolent Society is a large and effective organization, having one thousand nine hundred and thirty-two members residing in the city and two hundred and fifty in the interior. This generous society maintains a hospital worthy of its high character, and which would be an honor to any city or state.

The French Benevolent Society is an institution in keeping with the most noble of its class here, where the rank is of the highest grade. This society has one of the finest hospitals of the State. It is a spa- cious edifice of brick, with pleasant gardens and ornamented grounds surrounding it, making it a most desirable home to the invalid. Other national- ities maintain their hospitals and their homes, thus indicating the care taken of all and the unbounded benevolence of all classes and peoples who have made San Francisco their abiding place.

It is difficult to form an estimate of the amount received as contributions and dues and expended by this vast array of benevolent associations. The Or- phan Asylums, the Odd Fellow, Masonic, Red Men, and Druid organizations, the German, French, and Italian societies, etc., cach disburse many thousands of dollars annually. But this is not all. The State generously steps in and lends a helping hand. The appropriations by the Legislature for benevolent pur- poses is about three quarters of a million dollars annually; chiefly, however, for the charities directly under State control, as the Insane Asylum, Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Asylum, and State Reformatory for Boys, and a large sum also goes to charitable institu- tions outside of this city. Among the appropriations of the last Legislature, are the following to the vari- ous Orphan Asylums of the State : San Francisco Protestant, $4,000 ; San Francisco Roman Catholic, $4.000; San Francisco Pacific Hebrew, $3,000; Boys', San Rafael, $3,000; Protestant, Sacramento, $1.500; St. Joseph's, Sacramento, $1,500; Grass Valley (Cath- olic), $2,000; Pajaro (male), $1,500; Santa Barbara, $1,500; Sisters of Mercy, Los Angeles, $1,500; Good Templars, Vallejo, $1,000; St. Vincent, Petaluma, $1,000. To other societies as follows: San Francisco charities: Magdalen Asylum, $5,000; Female Hospi- tal, $6,000; Ladies' Relief and Protection, $7,500 ; State Woman's Hospital, $4,000; Lying-in Hospital, $6,000; Protestant Episcopal Church Home, $1,000; Old Women's Home, Rincon Hill, and St. Luke's Society, $1,000; Howard Benevolent Society. Sacra- mento, $2,500, and $1,000 each to the Ladies' Benevo- lent societies in interior towns as follows: Stockton, Marysville, Napa, Placerville, Grass Valley, Val- lejo, Oakland, San José, Nevada City, and San Diego.

To give a full account of all the associations for charitable and social objects would exceed the limits we could devote to the purpose, but would refer to the Appendix on pages 939-956 inclusive, for a com- plete list of the different organizations, exhibiting in detail their operations during the past year and their present condition, to which attention is invited.

AID UNION.

This society was incorporated June 13, 1874, and has now one hundred and fifty-three members. The object of this society is to pay to its sick members $1.50 a day, and to the heirs of its members $500 for each membership a member holds. There are no assessments at the deaths of members, as the lives of the members are re-insured in the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Union paying all pre- miums thereon, as long as they remain members. The benefit of this re-insurance is: 1. That only persons, who are at the application sound and healthy can join the Union and participate in the sick fund. 2. That every member knows exactly how much ho has to pay. 3. That members do not lose their money if they cease to be members, as the policy of life in-

PACIFIC COAST BUSINESS DIRECTORY contains Addresses of over 50,000 Merchants.

ATNA INS. CO. of Hartford has a Paid-up Capital of $3,000,000, and Cash Assets of nearly $6,000,000, GEO. C. BOARDMAN, Manager.

L. W. KENNEDY, General Insurance Agent, Fire, Marine, and Life, 411 California St.

SAN FRANCISCO DIRECTORY.

Hospitals.

The hospitals of San Francisco will compare favor- ably with those of other cities of its size and popula- tion. The public institutions are ample in accommo- dation and appointment, while those of private character are to be found in all parts of the city. The Germans and French have for years had fine hospital buildings, the one belonging to the latter having recently received extensive additions. The Sisters of Mercy own a large structure on Rincon Hill, and the Italians have, within a few years, com- pleted a commodious building four miles from the business portion of the city. The special purpose of these hospitals is to provide for certain classes of our citizens, as the French, the German, the Italian, etc., but all who desire to avail themselves of their advantages are admitted upon payment of most rea- sonable fees. Besides the institutions enumerated above, there are several smaller ones which have been established through the munificence of our citi- zens, and whose names indicate their special uses. These are the State Woman's Hospital, the San Francisco Woman's Hospital, the Foundling Asylum and Lying-In Hospital, etc.

For years the facilities offered by the city were en- tirely inadequate, and much feeling was from time to time occasioned in the efforts to obtain creditable hospital buildings for its poor. All such feeling has how disappeared in the satisfaction occasioned by the completion of a hospital, of which, at least, we have no cause to feel ashamed. Not only are the buildings and accommodations much more ample, but the location is far more suited to the purposes in view. The grounds are in the southern portion of the city, and comprise the two blocks bounded by Nevada, Sierra, and Nebraska streets and Potrero Avenue. They measure eight hundred and sixty-six feet by four hundred and eighty-one feet, or nearly ten acres. The location is somewhat elevated, at least sufficiently so to insure efficient drainage, and though not very accessible at present will, when the. contemplated extension of the Sixth Street line out Potrero Avenue is completed, be but a short ride from Market Street, requiring no more time than was ne- cessary to reach the former hospital. The main build- ings face the west, the hospital entrance being on Potrero Avenue, which runs nearly north and south. An entirely different plan has been adopted to that usually in vogue. Several individual structures, most of them at considerable distance from each other, but connected by a long covered corridor, unite to form the hospital. With the exception of the kitchen and laundry, which are of brick, all of the buildings are of wood, with brick foundations. The individual structures are: The administrative and dining-hall buildings, each three stories high, situ-

ated in the center of the block, opposite each other, and on either side of the center of the covered corri- dor, which is five hundred and fifty-six feet long by eighteen feet wide, and runs lengthwise of the block; the kitchen and laundry, back of the dining rooms; the chapel, at the south end of the corridor; the gate house, stable, morgue, operating rooms, etc., scatter- ed about in various places, and lastly six long pavil- ions, each two stories high, and each designed to ac- commodate sixty-four patients (with their nurses), thirty-two on a floor. It is designed eventually to have twelve pavilions, to be built in pairs, opposite each other, on either side of the long corridor and parallel to the main buildings; the first pairs, on either side, being a hundred feet from the main build- ings, the second pairs a hundred feet from the first, and the third a hundred feet from the second. Six pavilions are considered sufficient for present pur- poses. With the most generous allowance of space, they will contain three hundred and eighty-four pa- tients. In an emergency at least a hundred more could be accommodated without serious overcrowd- ing. Since moving into these new quarters in Sep- tember, 1872, the number of patients has largely in- The French Hospital, or "Maison de Santé." is also under the charge of a society, the "Société Fran- çaise de Bienfaisance Mutuelle," organized in 1851, and now having a membership of three thousand two hundred. The building is a large two-story brick structure, occupying the center of a hundred-vara (two hundred and seventy-five by two hundred and seventy-five feet) lot on Bryant Street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, the remaining grounds be- creased, owing, partly, at least, to the greater com- fort afforded. The average number of patients in the City and County Hospital for the year 1873, was three hundred and fifty-seven, and during this period the total admissions numbered three thousand and seventy-four, and the deaths two hundred and fifty- eight. It may be further mentioned that there are treated at the hospital from fifteen hundred to two thousand out-patients yearly. In 1873, nearly elev- ling laid out in gardens and planted with trees.

en thousand prescriptions were put up for out-pa- tients.

The officers are : Resident Physician, Dr. W. M. Lawlor ; Assistant Resident Physician, Dr. J. W. Keeney ; Visiting Surgeons, Drs. W. A. Douglass and H. H. Toland ; Visiting Physicians, Drs. F. A. Holman and C. M. Bates. Besides these, the medi- cal staff is composed of Dr. Martinache of the Uni- versity of California and Drs. Gibbons and Barkan of the Medical College of the Pacific, whose services are rendered gratuitously.

In 1867, the Alms House, a large and substantial frame building, was constructed near Lake Honda, by the city. The need of such an establishment had become urgent, as the City and County Hospital was burdened with the permanently disabled and super- annuated, who had been accumulating for years. This building will accommodate five hundred per- sons, the average number present in 1873 being three hundred and twenty-four, and the total admissions for the year being three hundred and eighty-eight. In the hospital wards there is an average of seventy patients. Fifty deaths occurred in 1873. The officers are a superintendent, Mr. M. J. Keating, and a resi- dent physician, Dr. S. R. Gerry.

Besides the Hospital and Alms House. the city owns two frame buildings about half a mile from the hospital, which were constructed at the time of the small-pox epidemic in 1868-9, and are capable of ac- commodating in the neighborhood of two hundred patients. One of the buildings is still reserved for small-pox cases, eighty-seven of which have been treated there during the year, with sixteen deaths; the other is used as a Chinese Hospital. In this last were admitted thirty-four cases, mostly chronic, two of them being cases of elephantiasis, or leprosy. The patients were all under the professional care of Dr. L. P. Foster.

In the fall of 1865 the San Francisco Health Office was established. Prior to this time no mortuary records had been preserved by the city. The creation of the office has resulted in unquestionable advantage, leaving out of consideration the value of the statis- tics collected. A city Board of Health was created by the Legislature in 1870. It consists of the Mayor and four physicians, and has control over the Health Office and all the public charitable institutions of the city and county. From a small beginning the Health Department has grown into a very important branch of the city government. It controls appointments involving an expense to the city of several thousand dollars a month, and has a general oversight of all sanitary affairs.

The German Hospital is built upon a lot fronting one hundred and thirty-seven and a half feet on Brannan Street (near Third Street) and extending back two hundred and seventy-five feet. The main building is of brick, three stories high, facing the northwest, and occupies all the frontage except what is required for a wide carriage way. It was built in 1853; a wing was added in 18/0, and a second wing in 1869, so that the hospital can accommodate one hundred and thirty patients. The remaining portion of the grounds, equaling over one half the area, is laid out with grass plats and walks, and planted with trees. There are but two wards in the hospital, each containing ten beds; the remaining rooms being designed for one or two patients only. The hospital is under the control of the German General Benevolent Society, which now numbers twenty-three hundred and forty members. The charges, which include medical attendance, are $2 per day, with from 50cts. to $1.50 extra for private rooms if they be desired. During the year 1873, the German Hospital received for treatment six hundred and fifty-two patients, the average number present being about sixty-five. There were sixty-two deaths in the same period. The attending physicians are Drs. Loehr, Regensberger, Wilhelm, and Smith. The resident physician is Dr. Carl W. Betzel.

Fire Insurance at Tariff Rates; Losses promptly paid by FARNSWORTH & CLARK

EDWARD BOSQUI & CO., Stationers, Printers, and Bookbinders, corner of Clay and Leidesdorff Streets.

C. P. VAN SCHAACK & CO., 708, 712, 714, and 716 Kearny Street, Glassware and Toys.

GENERAL REVIEW.

Originally, the hospital completed in 1859 was but one story in hight. In 1869 a second story was added, increasing the capacity to the accommodation of one hundred and seventy patients. In 1873, there were admitted to this hospital seven hundred and ninety-three patients, the weekly average number present being sixty-four. During the year there were fifty-two deaths. The charges are $2 per day for ward patients, $3 for those desiring private rooms. Drs. Pigne-Dupuytren and D'Oliveira are the visiting physicians, and Dr. E. Pruvost is the apothecary.

One of the finest of the private hospitals is the St. Mary's Hospital, under the care of the Sisters of Mercy. It was erected in 1861 on a hundred-vara lot on the southwest corner of Bryant and First streets. The building is of brick, is four stories high, and measures seventy-five by one hundred and fifty feet on the ground. The design is, when occasion shall require, to add to it a wing, which will double its present capacity. No hospital in this city excels this in interior arrangement. The ceilings are high, the halls broad, the rooms capacious, the ventilation and general adaptability to the purposes intended excellent. There are but one or two large wards, the majority being intended to accommodate from six to twelve patients; besides these there are a number of private rooms. In the wards and rooms there are beds for one hundred and eight patients. During the year the wards are often full; the average number of patients for the year 1873 was about a hundred, and the total admission for the year num- bered eight hundred and forty - one. In the same period one hundred and seventeen deaths occurred. Patients in the general wards are charged $10 per week, those occupying private rooms $20. For sev- eral years Dr. L. C. Lane has been visiting surgeon. Dr. James Murphy is visiting physician.

In 1868 the Italian Benevolent Society erected a hospital for the use of its members and others. Two blocks, bounded by Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, Noe, and Castro streets-four miles from the City Hall -had been secured, and afford a most admirable site. The building faces the east. It is of brick, two stories in hight and contains beds for forty patients. A wing may be conveniently added should more room be required. During the first eleven months of 1872, there were admitted to this hospital two hundred and three patients, the average number present at any one time being over eighteen; and the number under treatment on the first of December, 1872, be- ing about ten. For various reasons, perhaps as much because of its great distance from the central portion of the city as from any other cause, this hospital was closed toward the latter part of 1873 ; when it will again be opened for patients is not known.

In 1853 the Government caused to be erected at Rincon Point a very large four-story brick hospital, one of the finest buildings in the city at that time, and ever since, from its character and position, a prominent landmark. It was designed for eight hun- dred patients-sailors of the merchant and national marine-probably five times as many as were ever within its walls at one time. Until 1868 it continued to be used. In this year the severe earthquake further impaired a foundation already rendered insecure by extensive grading, which had left the hospital perch- ed upon a high embankment, and it was vacated. Orders have been issued to dispose of the building for whatever its material may be worth, when it is expected another one will be erected in a different locality. After numerous removals and vicissitudes. the patients have at last secured a home in the build- ings formerly occupied as the asylum for the deaf, dumb, and blind, on the corner of Mission and Fif- teenth streets. The ground is ample, the buildings, two in number, and four stories high, of brick, and perhaps as su table for a hospital as buildings con- verted to such purposes generally are. They are probably the best accommodations that could be se- cured without building, and are calculated to contain one hundred and twenty-five patients, though the average number in 1873 was but sixty-five. In this year there were admitted five hundred and thirty-five patients. During the same period eighteen deaths occurred. The hospital is under the professional charge of Dr. C. N. Ellinwood. It is altogether prob- able that within a short time suitable buildings will be provided for this class of patients. Already a site

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The San Francisco Directory, 1874, Part 14

Author: Publication date: 1874 Publisher: San Francisco : Langley, Henry G. Number of Pages: 1128

Author:
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: San Francisco : Langley, Henry G.
Number of Pages: 1128